The proposals are the second phase of development by Bellway, following the first phase on a neighbouring plot of land with approval for 129 homes, secured last year after an appeal.

Simon Pemberton, senior director of Lichfields in Manchester, said: “The development boasts a significant amount of open space, some of which ties in to the existing Pennington Brook which runs along one side of the development and helps to establish the development appropriately in its position on the edge of the urban area.

“It has the potential to create a high quality residential development which will integrate well into the wider area.”

The site is located on the western side of Westhoughton, on land that was proposed to be allocated for housing in the draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

The application seeks full planning permission for 174 dwellings, including roads and footways, parking areas, associated services, regrading of the land, biodiversity mitigation, hard and soft landscaping, walls and fences, drainage, and other associated works.